lighting

I’m still really new to taking care of INDOOR red foot tortoises, I took care of adult RF (20-25 years) in the Caribbean in outdoor enclosures which was easier, so I have no idea what I’m doing while setting up... I was using a 10.0 UVB lamp and I’ve been told that it BURNS my RF’s eyes so I’m...

Hello! I recently just read somewhere that mercury vapor bulbs are too strong/bright/dry for young sulcata tortoises. What is a better option that will still keep temperatures hot enough?

Hello, So, I'm a newb in tortoises, just got my Redfoot last Sunday. I've got many questions, since I've learnt a lot in this week of ownership, and each new day brings new worries for me! Would appreciate help from people here, since I've heard this forum is ideal for gathering knowledge. 1) I...

Hi everyone. I purchased a baby Sulcata Tortoise that I named BBY Yolli last week from a pet store over in East LA. So far he seems to be doing great. I was a bit of a novice and didnt do my research as much as I should have but Im fully invested in providing the best care I can for my new baby...

I'm new to this forum so I really hope I'm going about this correctly! A little background about my tort: I have a male Russian named Todoroki. I got him from a pet store so I'm not sure of his age. I'm personally against buying animals from shops, but I absolutely fell in love with this...

My enclosure is 3ft x 4ft and my tort is adult (4in) Russian. I was using a Flukers Basking Bulk 150W with a temp of 96-98F directly underneath, but it put off a lot of heat and I started to sweat when sitting next to the enclosure (it's in my office). It radiated heat and had a cool side in...

LED, UVB, and Incandescent lighting. UVB can be lowered by increasing the length of the chain

Hello, I was wondering if the Powersun bulb really works? Right now I have the UVA/ Heat bulb and then a separate tube light for UVB. With winter coming I need to close the enclosure and cut holes in the lid. I was thinking only cutting one hole for the powersun bulb and then one for the CHE...

Hello, I'm researching/preparing to get my first Hermann's Tortoise. I'm looking for advice on an indoor enclosure. After doing much research, I'd like to go with the closed chamber/high humidity at least for the first year or so. I really want something that is aesthetically pleasing, as it...

Hi!! I am getting a beautiful western hermann in the next week. She is my dream tortoise, I at first ending up buying a zoo med tortoise house, but I have noticed the benefits of a closed chamber enclosure. I am wanting the best care of my little one, I do want to make sure her lighting is...

I have an African side neck turtle and was looking for tips on how to give her the best light setup. Currently I have the basic zoo med aquatic turtle uvb and heat lights. I've learned that the basking area should be closer to 90 degrees and mine is only 80, so I'm trying to correct that and...

Hey everyone, I’m about to finally get my tortoise! I have never had a tortoise before and I need some help. I’ve had many species of reptiles and amphibians, but caring for those are a bit different. I was looking to get a red foot hatchling or a leopard hatchling. I live in Illinois so the...

I bought a new lamp for my tort and it's shipping right now, it should be in my home from 1 to 3 days, but today I went to my tortoise enclousure (little guy, around 9 months to 1 year old, 7cm/2,75in, russian tortoise) and turned on lamps and uvb lamp started to act weirdly and smelling awful...

Hi! I live in Upstate New York and will hopefully be getting my tort baby by the end of summer! I am looking into the basking/lighting set up and wondering if these would be sufficient with some kind of stand?

Hi All, I am in the process of researching and setting up my home for a hatchling that will be arriving in a couple of months. There is so much information available online regarding basking and UVB lighting/heating, and some of it is very contradictory. I will be speaking with the breeder...

Hello, I have had an Eastern Hermanns Hatchling for about a week now, he is only a little over a month old. I am keeping his enclosure damp for humidity and it never drops below 65% the temp is usually 80-90 during the day and around 73F at night. I noticed pieces of the substrate are turning...

Hi everyone, I'm hoping that someone here can help me. Yesterday, I picked up my hatchling Indian Star. What I had set up in his enclosure prior to his arrival was a 100W ZooMed MVB on a ZooMed light stand. As of now, he's in a ZooMed Tortoise House until he gets larger. To compensate for the...

Hello, I posted a thread yesterday on my enclosure and I am planning on DIY making a 4x6 table. So I have a few questions about specifics. Recommendations (preferably with links) for the best (and cheapest) substrate for russians Also recommendations for the best lighting/heating options. (I...

Hi there, So I have a total of 3 Russian Tortoises now. I need an enclosure that will fit all three and give them adequate space but I don't really know where to start. Lighting...everytime I go into the pet store 90% of the time I'm directed to the wrong stuff. Can someone help me? For 3...

Ok so I have been looking at about a thousand threads now about lighting and there are so many different opinions my Brain is gonna explode! I will be getting a Redfoot hatchling soon and want everything to be perfect when he/she arrives! Right now I have a enclosure that is 3 feet long 2 feet...